Theme and Variations in The Book of Acts

When watching a really good Jazz ensemble, my favorite part is at the end when often times each member of the combo takes turns playing lead. The melody has been established and explored, at the end each member takes a turn playing: the saxophone, the guitarist, the piano, the bass and the drums. Having established melodic common ground, each player puts his or her personal stamp on the song. Fellow players lend support by playing in the background. The spotlight moves from player to player and the piece ends with the group reunited for the end, playing together in a resounding finale.

This September 9^th we begin a sermon series on the Book of Acts. The full title of the book is “The Acts of the Apostles” (“apostle” refers to a follower of Jesus sent on a mission. It can describe the original twelve disciples, but is also used to describe others). When reading Acts I often visit the thought of a Jazz ensemble. It all started with a quote I heard a while back about Christianity that I have altered to apply to the Book of Acts:

The Book of Acts is the early church’s living the music of Jesus, helping others to hear the music in them, & inviting others to play & live the music together.

The Book of Acts shows us what the first followers of Jesus did after he ascended into heaven. This new movement faced a lot of questions at its infancy: how would they continue without Jesus? who would or would not be allowed to join them? who’s in charge anyway?

These questions get worked-out in the Book of Acts. In the process, the church grows! Borrowing from the quote above, the church grows by continuing the melody of living the music of Jesus. We might think of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) as the melody that Jesus starts: his ministry, his teachings, his miracles, his death and resurrection. Though Jesus ascends to heaven to be with his Father, the “melody” continues on earth. It took different turns, changed slightly depending on the time and place, and took variations. But the music of Jesus continued.

We will see there were times of conflict amongst the apostles. Like the Jazz ensemble who plays dissonant chords, so will the early church clash on matters. But by the power of the Holy Spirit the melody of Jesus continues on.

Here are some basic facts about the Book of Acts*

Who Wrote it: Luke, the writer of the Gospel of Luke.

When written: Acts was probably written late in the first century C.E. It is likely, but not certain, that the writing of Acts followed that of the Gospel according to Luke, which usually is dated between 75 and 85 C.E., although these dates also are uncertain.

Where to find it: The Acts of the Apostles is the fifth book in the New Testament. It comes directly after the four Gospels and before the Letters of Paul.

Key figures: The Holy Spirit, Peter, Paul, many women are featured prominently.

Summary: The Acts of the Apostles portrays Jesus’ followers from their days with the risen Jesus in Jerusalem to Paul’s mission in Rome. Initial chapters focus on the life of the early community of believers in Jerusalem and the work of the Holy Spirit among them. Called, inspired, and even driven by the Holy Spirit, the apostles spread the gospel throughout northern Mediterranean lands. The story of Paul’s call to spread the news of Jesus is the central emphasis of the second half of Acts. The final verse of Acts summarizes the book’s themes: welcome of all, bold proclamation and teaching about the kingdom of God, and God’s plan as unstoppable.

Themes: Christians in society, boldness, Friendship in Christian community, Baptism, future hope, networking, mission and hospitality, inclusion of non-Jews as people of God, the prevailing word of God.

So What? Because it provides a perspective on the work of the apostles and Paul that we get nowhere else, the Acts of the Apostles is invaluable as a witness to the development of communities of followers of “the Way” of God disclosed in Jesus. Driving the message of Acts is the conviction that God’s Holy Spirit, now inextricably bound to the risen Jesus, empowers and legitimates the activities of believers at many critical points. The opening up of salvation (being in covenant relationship with the God of the Jews) to all people is at the heart of this book. Around this central theological idea Acts also emphasizes that Christians are called to hospitality, friendship, and boldness in speech and in interpretation of Scripture.

Abrupt Ending: The end of the book of Acts ends in a peculiar way, with Paul reaching Rome and ministering there for two years. Hardly the resounding finale one might expect to find in the book. A reasonable explanation is that the Acts of the Apostles are not finished yet. The music of the church continues. The theme and variations are playing on into our time and place. It is our turn in the spotlight, to play the melody of Jesus’ music and incorporate others into the song. That is why we are doing the sermon series, to see how the music of Jesus was played, and to take a turn playing it ourselves, in harmony with the tunes played before us by the early church.

I Look Forward to Seeing You in Worship,
Pastor Jason Talsness